Transcript Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare
Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare (15641616)
Born in Stratford-upon-Avon
Married Ann Hathaway
Three children
Moved to London
Worked as an actor and a playwright
Shakespeare’s birthplace in
Stratford-upon -Avon
Famous plays
Hamlet
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
King Lear
Macbeth
Henry V
The Merchant of Venice
Globe Theatre, where
Shakespeare’s plays were, and
are, played
Shakespeare’s universe
Destiny/ astrology: You were born under a
lucky or unlucky star
Romeo and Juliet were’star-crossed lovers’,
meaning there was something wrong in there
universe, their love was not meant to be
Shakespeare too believed in the stars, but he
also meant we have much influence ourselves:
’The Fault does not lay in the Stars, but in
ourselves’.
Romeo and Juliet,
Shakespeare’s universe
God: The world is ruled by God the Almighty,
Friar Lawrence is God’s man on earth
King and Queen, Prince and Princess: They
represent the godly powers on earth, they are in
control
Fairies: Small creatures that can change your
destiny
You: You have to try to make the most of your
life, within the existing situation
Characters:
Parents: Parents usually accept your choice if it
is reasonable. If not they will try to tell you.
Their feud is the obstacle for Romeo and
Juliet’s love
Friar Lawrence: He wants them to marry to
stop the family feud. Love will bring peace.
Juliet: Innocent, sweet, her dressing as an angel
at the masquerade is symbolic.
Romeo: A man of action. All great heroes have
a flaw (feil). Romeo’s biggest mistake is that he
never stops to think. Dressed as a knight in
shining armour at the masquerade.
Theme: Love
Love: What is true love?
Romeo and Rosaline: He cannot marry her
because they are not alike in dignity, it will not
work out socially, therefore she does not want
him.
Juliet and Paris: Paris loves Juliet and is of a
good family. He dies for her, still she does not
love him, and love has to be mutual (gjensidig).
Romeo and Juliet: The families make love
impossible for Romeo and Juliet, everything
else is right.
Theme: Love
Shakespeare: True love is an integrating force
where everything comes together: ’Love is the
glue that keeps the universe together’
With love you speak the same language: Ex.
Balcony scene: The universe becomes part of
their conversation: ’What light through younder
window breaks. It is the East and Juliet is the
Sun’
Romeo swears by the moon that he loves her
Romeo and Juliet